Why Food Grade?

There are hundreds of sources of Diatomaceous Earth and most deposits are from salt water sources. The ones coming from fresh water sources are of extremely high purity and are therefore called food grade diatomite. Freshwater diatomite is mined from dry lakebeds and is mostly hydrated amorphous silica. Food grade DE is non-toxic, and is safe around humans, animals, pets, plants and the environment. Its 100% natural origin ensures that it is free from the artificial chemicals which are abundant in modern-day insecticides, anti-parasite remedies and plant food.

Calcined and Non-Calcined Ditomite

We stock 3 types of Diatomaceous Earth: Food Grade DE from Europe, Denmark - calcined and non-calcined, and also a Peruvian type which is also extra-pure, since it contains a very low amount of heavy metals and is high in silica. The calcined and non-calcined types come from Denmark. The differnce between them is that calcined diatomite undergoes processing at very high temperatures which turns a proportion of amorphous (natural) silica to crystalline silica. This process is meant to increase the insecticide properties of diatomite, so calcined diatomite is thus more active than non-calcined in this respect. However, crystalline silica is more hazardous to the lungs when inhaled, so has to be handled with more care. So when choosing your product please think about these cautions. When handled properly, none of these products present any problem for health. If, for example, sprinkled in the garden or on household plants, it is important to protect oneself from inhaling the substance, especially on a regular basis.

How does it work on insects and parasites?

Diatomite punctures the exoskeleton of insects and parasites and absorbs their body fluids effectively drying them out. It also acts as a powerful natural repellent. Insects stay away from surfaces covered with DE, making a serious infestation unlikely. When ingested, it works on parasites on the same principle by puncturing ther skin and absorbing their fluids and wrecking havoc with their internal eco-systems, thus killing them. It makes food grade DE the most powerful and safe natural insecticide/anti-parasite natural remedy around.

Uses of Diatomaceous Earth:

• At home: use against house insects (ants, cockroaches, silverfish, bed bugs, flies, fleas, box elder bugs, scorpions, crickets, ticks, etc.). Sprinkle the areas which you suspect is infested with insects. To eliminate bed bugs, ensure coverage of all the bed parts.

• Pet protection against insects and parasites:fleas, ticks, lice, and other pests. Rub the powder into the animal fur, sprinkle on the carpet, bedding. Against parasites: add 0.5-1 tsp of DE to pet food or water to expel parasites and prevent their re-appearance. Cat litter: add for odour control.

• Livestock protection against insects and parasites:horses, cows, pigs, sheep, goats, rabbits, chickens, and other domestic animals will benefit from the use of DE to protect them against fly larvae, ticks, fleas, etc. Add DE to animal feed to expel parasites.

• Livestock - other benefits:Regular addition of DE to animal feed will stimulate metabolic rate, improve coat and hoof condition, improve digestion and elimination, act as a natural mineral food supplement (it contains numerous minerals in it), promote healthier egg production and stronger eggs in poultry, and reduce overall animal stress. It will also reduce the odour in barns from excrement, prevent larvae from forming in the manure. All this will help reduce vet bills.

  For smaller farm animals (pigs, sheep, goats), add about 12g (0.5oz) to their feed. For larger animals (cows, horses), add 25-50g of DE to feed, once a day. For poultry and small animals which you keep in large number add 2% of DE to their food.

• Natural plant protection against insects:DE is the organic way of controlling insects in the garden, greenhouse, orchard, and more. Use it for control of slugs, whitefly, beetles, mites, grasshoppers, etc. For use in the greenhouse or outdoors on fruits, vegetables, flowers, grains and grass - up to and including day of harvest. Ensure coverage over the entire plant, including under the leaves. For young plants, two pounds per acre may be adequate. For larger plants, five lb/acre may be enough. Examine the leaves periodically to make sure that the DE goes all over the plant and the leaves are not eaten by bugs. Use special dust applicator. Make sure that you always wear protective mask over the face and your eyes are covered to avoid irritation of the eyes/mucous membraine.